Savannah Rapids Kayak Rental

Fantastic people, great views, and a quality outdoor opportunity to spend time with friends or family. This rental company truly represents a gem in Augusta, not only in the sights you can see, but also in the people that you meet. The rental is family owned and run and you can tell that they value their customers and are focused on customer satisfaction. Definitely a place to bring your kids and loved ones again and again.

We had a party of 5 people including my family and husband this week. We rented two tandem kayaks and one single kayak. It was $ 30 per tandem and $ 20 for the single. We parked a car at Lake Olmstead near the stadium after the recommendation of other Unilocalers. We weren’t 100% sure where to park because there weren’t any signs and we aren’t really from the area, but we parked right near the Lake Olmstead Stadium and drove another car to the takeoff point. The guy working at the takeoff point seemed kind of rude and like he thought he was too cool to answer my mother’s questions. I thought that was offputting, but we said whatever and had a good time anyway on the tour. He said we would pass under three bridges then someone would pick us up at Lake Olmstead after we turned right off the Canal onto it. That was all fine and dandy until we reached Lake Olmstead and didn’t see anyone or any signs. The one dock that seemed obvious had no signs and there wasn’t anyone there waiting for us. My husband and I even ventured off to the bridge at the other end of Lake Olmstead thinking maybe the guy forgot to tell us it was past that. We waited on the lake for a good 25 minutes super confused with my out of town visiting family and finally a girl in a van showed up to pick up the kayaks. At this point, my husband and I were ticked and thought this was unprofessional. I don’t know if it’s because we went at the end of the summer or what, but the service sucked.

The kayaking was wonderful, but the service at the put in could have been a lot better. It seemed very disorganized at the check in station. Also, the young gentlemen helping us into the kayaks were rude and not attentive. We had two young children and they did not offer them any guidance or assist us into the boats. They were just standing there goofing around as we waited. I finally had to ask if we could get the life jackets and start our trip. They didn’t offer any instruction on how to paddle or how to sit in the kayak. I have kayaked a lot and most rental places will provide a 5 minute instruction. This should probably be done from a liability standpoint as well. Also, the seats in the kayaks were horrendous. They were not set up correctly and provided no back support. This company should spend some time ensuring there equipment is properly set up and ready for customer use. They also gave one of the children a paddle that was duck taped together and twisted when she used it. I will be going with a different company next time I am looking to kayak in Augusta.

Enjoyed a beautiful day on the water! Only loses a star because you have to pay 5 bucks for the ride back.

New to Augusta and wanted to kayak the canal. So excited to see what other trips I. An take with this group. Shuttle was very convenient. Boats were in good condition. Route was scenic and easy.

1. Sign waiver
2. Pay the fee
3. Go as you please, but get back by the closing time (4pm weekdays, 6pm weekends)
**tip — leave a car at Lake Olmstead so you have to wait for the shuttle.
Basically, you get the the Savannah Rapids Park, go all the way down where the mill house is, go down by the river, and SRKR is there under a tent. It’s not cheap — $ 30 a person on weekends for a single kayak (they had no tandems at the time). I would recommend making a reservation, as they do take them ahead of time and that way you will be sure to not be left without a kayak. I liked that SRKR basically puts you on the kayak and leaves you alone to do whatever you please, after you pay the fee and sign the waiver, of course. They also provide life jackets. You don’t HAVE to wear one, but remember, you signed a waiver — and if you don’t swim, I’d suggest you put it on (like I did!)
We had a group of 8 and they gave us a $ 5 discount each person.
The river was «not open» to kayak rentals because of low water levels. Some of us were a bit skeptical, since it just rained a ton the two days before. Oh well.
The canal took us about 2 hours to get through — we did a lot of lazing around and just floating down the river, but maybe 30 min worth of paddling as well. Your arms will get tired… that’s for sure.
Lovely scenery and lots of turtles. This was really relaxing and perfect on a 75 degree weather day! Just remember — pass 3 bridges, pass 3 houses to your right, and make a right hand turn to Lake Olmstead. Someone is there to pull you out of the water and shuttle you back to the park if needed. I’d suggest you and your friends park one car at Lake Olmstead and drive the other person back… that way you won’t be dependent on anyone taking you back!

I’ve only done this once, but it was a great time. We went in a huge family group (four single kayaks and two doubles) and they had plenty of kayaks to accommodate that. We also went the course that goes up the Savannah River, around Stallings Island and back down the River to the Canal headgates. This took us about 2hrs and isn’t for the lazy, as you spend the entire first half paddling against the current, then can float back down.
I found the price to be entirely reasonable even though we only used it for half of the rental time. It is cheaper on the weekends than other offered local kayak rentals and is RIGHT on the Canal/​River (we only had to transport because we had to get the kayaks from the tent to the place where they put in/​out on the River.) A bit of carrying involved because the Pavilion had locked the trail pylons. Not the Rental Company’s fault.
I had a ton of fun with this and am considering taking my parents to enjoy it. I would recommend it to anyone looking to traverse the River or Canal in a rented kayak.

I’ve done it twice now and each was a great time. The staff is very friendly and gets you in the water fast! The canal has a strong enough current to allow you to coast to the end if you’re worried the route (5.3 miles) is too long. There were turtles, ducks, and otters in the water and plenty of shade. When we were done, the shuttle was waiting for us. I don’t kayak often enough to justify purchasing one of my own, so the convenience of SRKR is very much appreciated.
(If the minimal effort required to help the staff put the kayak onto a rack is something that would ruin your experience, then this probably isn’t the activity for you to begin with.)

Actual kayak rentals weren’t bad. They charge $ 5 for a shuttle back to the launch site, but don’t tell you that you have to wait OVER AN HOUR AND A HALF for the shuttle to get there. Staff wasn’t super friendly, either. I recommend buying your own, or rent from Escape Outdoors and transport your own.

Great company!
We have our own kayak (an inflatable Sea Eagle), and a month or so ago a SRKR employee saw us inflating it and offered to let us use their air pump. I thought it was cool of them to offer help to people who obviously don’t have a need for their services.
We remembered their friendliness when our family was visiting us this past weekend and wanted to go kayaking. We rented a kayak and had a great time on the canal. There are so many birds and turtles, and it was a really relaxing ride to Lake Olmstead. Once we got to the lake, the SRKR employee waiting there helped us pull out our personal kayak as well as the rented one.
Very impressed with this company and we’ll keep them in mind for when we have family visiting again.

My wife and I have been here multiple times. The family that runs this business is super friendly and helpful. We took my parents (±60) today and they loved it!
Oh, and the shuttle that some complained about is not bad at all. Each vehicle has a/​c and a friendly driver that wants to know how you enjoyed your trip!
If you are that impatient don’t pay for the shuttle and call a cab.

It should have been a fun late morning of leisurely paddling down the Augusta Canal. Instead we got that our sweetjack (previously recommended by Savannah Rapids Kayak Rental to my husband) coupons were in some way annoying. No friendly chit-​chat to figure out our level of kayaking or our familiarity with the route we were about to take. The «continuous» shuttle took over an hour to come to pick us up and the ride back was at the most 15 minutes. We were «continuously» told for an hour that the shuttle was coming «real soon». They clearly waited to come until there were enough kayaks to pick up, not bothered with the fact that somewhat tired and dehydrated people are waiting. And when the shuttle came, the driver basically ordered us «to help out», even though we had to pay for the shuttle ride.
If you would like to rent kayaks from this crew, make sure you park your car at Lake Olmstead if you are going down the canal or at North Augusta boat ramp if you are good enough for Savannah River, so you don’t have to rely on their transportation and do not expect any kind of customer service or friendliness. These people are just charging for kayak use, they are not trying to create a fun experience for you.

When looking in the area for things to do the list can be rather short. While walking my dog on the Savannah Rapids trail I noticed the Savannah Rapids Kayak Rental. On my way back I wondered over, spoke with the very friendly old man. A week later my wife and I were in a kayak with some friends.
— Weekday $ 15 (Single) $ 25 (Tandem) Shuttle $ 8
— Weekends $ 25 (Single) $ 35 (Tandem) Shuttle $ 10
— Paddles, lifevests, whistles are included in price
— Shuttle price is per person
— You may want to park a car at the Lake Olmstead to avoid shuttle price
— They take credit! Swipe your card on their iPad and email yourself a receipt
— Really friendly people and very accommodating
The owner is a retied school teacher looking to revive a business he recently purchased. They are looking at expanding hours and routes. I was told the shuttle was a new option.
I just want to point out how friendly these people were! When my group showed up we had forgotten sunscreen in our car and instead of walking back, we were given some spray-​on to use. Not only that but we were given a free trip in the shuttle after a frustrating mix-​up. While we had parked our car at Lake Olmstead my wife left her keys in the other car we parked at the starting point DOH!
The route that is planned out is pretty easy to follow and can be paddled in about 2.5 hours at a decent rate. If you just wanted to float the whole way down and get some sun it might take 3 hours.
Only get the tandem if you don’t mind fighting when to paddle without going in circles the entire way down. I speak from experience. One word, coordination.
You WILL get WET! Just by the nature of paddling you will get water on yourself, no matter how hard you try. Just be prepared for it, you’re in a canal for Pete’s sake.
There are shady spots in the canal for those hot days (I used them!) and some beautiful sights along the way. I recommend bringing a waterproof camera or being careful with your phone to take photos.
For the price Savannah Rapids Kayak Rental is a fun experience and I will be going back.
Little pop-​up rental area down the one way road at the Savannah Pavillion.